7-cyano steroids and derivatives thereof



United States Patent 3,2ihii3 7-CYANO STEROIDS? AND DERIVATIVES THERE GF Robert G. Christiansen, Schodack, N.Y., and William S. Johnson, Portola Vailey, Caiifi, assignors to Sterling Drug Inc, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Filed Jan. 9, 1963, Ser. No. 250,243

., 30 Claims. (Cl. 26ii239.5)

This invention relates to new steroid compounds derived from the addition of cyanide to steroids of the 3- oxo-4,6-androstadiene series and to processes for their preparation.

()ne aspect of the invention relates to compounds of the formula wherein R is cyano, carboxy, carbo-lower-alkoxy, hydroxymethyl or lower-carboxylic acyloxymethyl, R is hydrogen or lower-alkyl, R" is hydroxy or lower-carboxylic acyloxy, and X is O=C or (a--HO)CH; to compounds of the above formula wherein X is O C having a double bond at the 4,5-position; to compounds of the above formula wherein X is 0 0 having two double bonds, one at the 1,2- and the other at the 4,5-position; and to the corresponding compounds wherein R and R together represent carbonyl oxygen.

In compounds of the'Formula I where R is carbolower-alkoxy or R is lower-alkyl, the lower-alkoxy or lower-alkyl groups preferably have from one to four carbon atoms.

In compounds of Formula I where R is lower-carboxylic acyloxymethyl or R" is lower-carboxylic acyloxy, the lower-carboxylic acyl groups are preferably derived from carbo-xylic acids having from one to about ten carbon atoms, conventionally employed in the steroid art, and having a molecular weight less than about 260. Representative of the acyl radicals which can be present are lower alkanoyl radicals, e.g., formyl, acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, isobutyryl, caproyl, heptanoyl, octanoyl, trimethylacetyl, and the like; carboxy-lower-alkanoyl radicals, e.g., succinyl (B-carboxypropionyl); cycloalkyllower-alkanoyl radicals, e.g, fl-cyclopentylpropionyl, cyclohexylpnopionyl, and the like; monocarbocyclic aroyl radicals, c.g., benzoyl, p-toluyl, p-nitrobenzoyl, 3,4,5-trimeth oxybenzoyl, and the like; monocarbocyclic aryllower-alkanoyl or -alkenoyl radicals such as phenylacetyl, fl-phenylpropionyl, cinn'a-moyl, and the like; and monocarbocyclic aryloXy-lower-alkanoyl radicals, such as pchlorophenoxyacetyl, and the like.

The compounds of Formula I are prepared by way of the addition of one mole-equivalent of alkali metal cyanide to a 4,6-diene of the Formula H:

RI 3 E RII 32%,113 Patented Aug. 10, 1965 wherein R and R have the meanings given hereinabove. The mono-adduct thus produced has the structure:

(III) The reaction is carried out by heating the compound of Formula II with an alkali metal cyanide at a temperature between about 50 C. and 150 C. in an inert solvent rnixture which serves to dissolve at least partially both the steroid and the cyanide.

Other compounds within the scope of Formula I are prepared from compounds of Formula III by the appropriate hydrolytic, reduction or esterification reactions, as illustrated in the following fiow sheet:

(III) 112/ ---CN ---coo z \on 3-ketal 1 CH3 o ooo-z 0Q (VII) NaBH4 (VIII) CH3] Hiil MON --omoz' NaBH4 HO--- ---oooz HO--- ---oHi0z' ed in the following flow sheet:

er-alkoxy) -3-oxo-4-androstene (V) can be catalytically hydrogenated to give a 7a-carboxy(or carbo-loweralkoxy)-3-oxo-5,B-androstane (VII), or reduced with lithium aluminum hydride while protecting the 3-oxo group 'as a ketal to give a 7m-hydroxymethyl-3-oxo-4-androstene (VIII). Compounds wherein Z is carboxylic acyl can be prepared by conventional esterification reactions. In similar fashion, a 7u-cyano-3a-hydroxy-fifi-androstane (VI) can be subjected to hydrolysis or alcoholysis to produce a 7a-carboxy(or carbo-lower-alkoxy)-3a-hydroxy- Sfl-androstane (IX); and a 7a-hydroxy-methyl-S-oxo-4- androstene (VIII) upon catalytic hydrogenation yields a 7u-hydroxymethyl-3-oxo-5fi-androstane (X). Finally, a 7a-hydroxymethyl-3a-hydrQXy-SQ-androstane (XI) is obtained either by lithium aluminum hydride reduction of (IX) or sodium borohydride reduction of (X).

A compound of Formula VIII wherein Z is hydrogen readily cyclizes in the presence of base by addition to the double bond to form a 5a,7ot-epoxymethano compound of 'the following Formula XII:

( )bHz (XII) A compound of Formula VIII wherein Z is hydrogen also can undergo dehydration in the presence of p-tol-uenesu'lfonyl chloride to give a 6a,7a-methano compound, viz;

The presence of a cyclopropane ring was established by troduced into compounds of Formula III, V or -VIII by bromination in the 2-position with N-bromosuccinimide, followed by dehydrobromination, for example with lithium bromide and lithium carbonate.

Another aspect of the invention relates to compounds obtained by way of the addition of two mole-equivalents of cyanide to the 4,6-androstadien-3-one moiety, as depict- R H :o11 i-OH MVSW 0 V l i HN--C=O (XIV) (XV) NaOMe/ NaOH 2 lower-alkanol E H CH? S OH3(\ E O: JCOOCH; O- ---COO-lower alkyl (1N (V) (XVI) In the foregoing formulas, R and R" have the same meanings given hereina-bove.

When 17a-R'-4,6-androstadien-17fi-ol-3-one, or an ester thereof, is treated with two or more molar equivalents of an alkali metal cyanide, the product is separable into an acid-soluble and a neutral fraction. The neutral fraction contains some starting material and some of the mono-adduct (III), as well as some 5,7-dicyano-1'7a-R- 'andros t-an-3-one. The acid-soluble (basic) fraction afi'ords an enamino ketone (XIII), resulting from an intramolecular condensation of 7a-cyano group of the intermediate SBJa-dicyano compound with the C4 anion produced in the basic medium. The enamino ketone structure is consistent with the infra-red and ultraviolet spectral data, with the fact that it gives a purple color with methanolic ferric chloride, and with the chemical transformations described below. Its structure is an example of the A (4.3.1)-bicyclodecene system, and molecular models sur- -prisingly can be constructed without serious angular dis- .tortio'n, despite the apparent conflict with Bredts Rule,

that a double bond'cannot extend to a bridgehead.

On' treatment of 'the amino ketone (XIII) with a strong base, e.g., methanolic sodium hydroxide, it is converted to SB-amino-S-carboxy-7u-cyano-l7a-R'-5B-andro- -stane 3a,17,8-diol-(3,5-lactam) (XIV).

Hydrolysis ofthe enarnino ketone (XIII, R,=I-I) with -hotxaqueous acid, such as dilute hydrochloric acid, gives 40,7oc carbonyl 5 cyano-17fl-hydroxy-5B-androstan-3- one"(XV). When the latter is treated with about one mole-equivalent of a strong base, e.g., sodium hydroxide, in loWer-alkanol solution at room temperature, the cyclic ketone linkage is cleaved and there is obtained 7CL-C3lb0- lower alkoxy S-cyano-17,8-hydroxy-5p-androstan-3-one (XVI). If more stringent basic hydrolysis conditions are used on Compound XV, for example, refluxing with sodium methoxide in methanol, the S-cyano group is lost and a compound of Formula V is produced, e.g., 7a-carbomethoxy-4-androstan-l7fl-ol-3-one.

The compounds of Formulas XIII-XVI containing free hydroxy groups can be acylated by conventional esterification procedures, for example, by heating the carbinol compound with the appropriate acidhalide or acid anhydride in the presence of pyridine, to give the corresponding lower-carboxylic acid acyloxy derivatives.

The present invention has provided, a new class of steriod compounds, and these compounds have now been made available for study of their endocrinological and pharmacological activities. Compounds of the invention have been found to possess such activities as set forth below, and they are also useful as intermediates in the preparation of difierent species within the scope of the invention by introduction of new groups or alteration of groups already present by known methods.

Endocrinological and pharmacological studies of the compounds of the invention have shown that they possess useful metabolic hormonal and/ or central nervous system regulant properties. In particular they exhibit such properties as anabolic, estrogenic, pituitary inhibiting, coronary dilator and anti-hypertensive activities.

The compounds of the invention can be prepared for use by dispersing them in an aqueous suspension or by dissolving them in a pharmacologically acceptable oil or oil-water emulsion for parenteral administration; :or by incorporation in tablet form with excipients for oral administration.

The structures of the compounds of the invention were established by the modes of synthesis, by interpretation of the ultraviolet, infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, by preparation of molecular models, by the physical and chemical properties of the compounds, by conformational analysis, and by the fact that the values found upon elementary analysis corresponded with the values calculated for the assigned structures.

The following examples will further illustrate the invention without the latter being limited thereby.

Example 1 7ot-cyano-17a-methyl-4-androsten-17fl-ol-3-one [111; R is CH R" is OH]: A mixture of 30.0 g. (0.10 mole) of 17oz-methyl-4,6-androstadien-l7fi-ol-3-one, 7.16 g. (0.11 mole) of potassium cyanide, 500 m1. of methanol, 50 ml. of water and 50 ml. of ethyl acetate was refluxed for two hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo, 500 m1. of water was added to the residue, and .the solid product was collected by filtration and dried. The product was dissolved in 200 ml. of methylene dichloride and chromatographed on a column of 750 g. of silica gel. The column was eluted with ether-methylene dichloride-pentane mixtures of increasing polar character, then with ether-methylene dichloride (9:1) and finally with etheracetone (9:1). The material brought out by the last eluant was recrystallized from ethyl acetate to give 704- cyano-17a-methyl-4-androsten-17B-ol-3-one in the form of colorless needles, M.P. 221.6-225.0 C. (corr.), [a] :|65.l (1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maximum at 237 mu (E=16,000).

When measured by its effect upon the growth of the levator ani muscle in the rat, 7a-cyano-17oc-methyl-4- androsten-17B-ol-3-one was found to possess myotrophic activity with a low degree of androgenicity when administered subcutaneously at a dose level of 11.2 mg./kg./day, or orally at a dose level of 84 mg./kg./day.

By replacing the 17a-methyl-4,6androstadien-17,8-01- 3-one in the foregoing preparation by a mole-equivalent amount of 4,6-androstadiene-3,17-dione, there can be prepared 7a-cyano-4-androstene-3,17-dione.

Example 2 7a-cyano-4-androsten-l7fi-ol 3-one [III; R is H, R is OH]: A mixture of 100.0 g. (0.35 mole) of 4,6-androstadien-17B-ol-3-one, 91.0 g. (1.40 mole) of potassium cyanide, 1280 ml. of methanol, 320 ml. of water and 160 ml. of ethyl acetate was refluxed for six hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue was partitioned between 1500 ml. of methylene dichloride and 1500 ml. of water. The methylene dichloride layer was separated and washed with four 500 ml. portions of 2 N hydrochloric acid. The acid extracts were made alkaline with sodium hydroxide and the precipitate was collected by filtration, washed with water and recrystallized from acetonitrile to give 43.2 g. of the bis-adduct, M.P. 240-247 C. (uncorn) described below in Example 7.

The neutral product left behind in the methylene dichloride solution was chromatographed on a column of 1000 g. of silica gel. The column was eluted with ethermethylene dichloride-pentane mixtures of increasing polarity and then with ether-methylene dichloride (7:3). The later crystalline fractions were recrystallized successively from methanol, methylene dichloride-isopropyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol alone to give 7a-cyano-4- androsten-17B-ol-3-one in the form of colorless needles, M.P. 277.2-2850 C. (corr.), [a] :|80.2 (1% in chloroform).

When measured by its elfect upon the growth of the levator ani muscle in the rat, 7a-cyano-4-androsten-17,8- ol-3-one was found to possess myotrophic activity with a low degree of androgenicity when administered subcutaneously at a dose level of 11.2 mg./kg./day.

7a-cyano-4-androsten-17B-ol-3-one can be caused to react with propionic anhydride, caproyl chloride, fi-cyclo pentyl-propionyl chloride, benzoyl chloride, p-nitrobenzoyl chloride, 3,4,5-trimethyoxybenzoyl chloride, phenylacetyl chloride, cinnamoyl chloride or p-chlorophenoxycatyl chloride to give, respectively, l7fl-propionoxy-7a-cyano- 4-androsten-3-one, 17,9-caproyloxy-7u-cyano-4-androsten- 3-one, 17 ,8- fi-cyclopentyl-propionoxy) -7ot-cyano-4-androsten-3-one, 17/3-benzoyloxy-7a-cyano-4-androsten-3-one, 17fl-(p-nitrobenzoyloxy)-7u-cyano-4-androsten 3 one, 17,3-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyloxy)-7a-cyan0 4 androsten 3 one, 17fi-phenylacetoxy-7a-cyano-4-androsten-3- one, -cinnamoyloxy-7a-cyano-4-androsten- 3 one or 17B-(4-chlorophenoxyacetoxy)-7a-cyano-4-androsten 3- one.

Example 3 7u-cyano-5B-androstan-17p-ol-3-one [IV; R is H, R" is OH]: A mixture of 9.50 g. of 7a-cyano-4-androsten-17 6- ol-3-one (Example 2) and 0.50 g. of 10% palladium-oncharcoal catalyst in 300 ml. of ethyl alcohol was hydrogenated until one mole-equivalent of hydrogen hadbeen absorbed. The mixture was filtered, the filtrate concentrated in vacuo and the residue recrystallized twice from ethanol to give 6.28 g. of 7a-cyano-5fl-androstan-17fl-ol- 3-one, M.P. 167.6-172.4 C. (corr.), [a] =0.6 (1% in chloroform).

Example 4 7a-cyano-17a-methyl-Sfl-androstan-17fl-ol-3-one [IV; R is CH R is OH] was prepared by hydrogenation of 6.58 g. of 7C6-CY3I10-170L-IllfithYl-4-21Ildl08t6fl-17fi-Ol-3-OI1G (Example 1) by the method described above in Example 3. The product was recrystallized twice from ethyl acetate and repeatedly from ethanol to give 7oc-cyano-17a-methyl SB-andrcstan-17,6-ol-3-one, M.P. 217.4218.8 C. (corr.), [a] =18.6 (1% in chloroform).

A sample of the foregoing product was brominated in acetic acid to give the 4-brorno derivative, M.P. 181-182 C., and the latter was dehydrobrominated by heating with lithium bromide and lithium carbonate in dimethylformamide solution to give 7-a-cyano-17u-methyl-4-andro sten-17fl-ol-3-one, identical with the compound obtained above in Example 1. This provided evidence for the Sit-configuration in the hydrogenation product.

Example 5 7u-cyano-17a-methyl-5fl-androstane 30,17B-di0l [VI]; R is CH R" is OH]: A solution of 1.00 g. of sodium borohydride in 10 ml. of water was added to a solution of 7.90 g. of 7a-cyano-17-u-methy1-5B-androstan-17/3-01-3- one (Example 4) in 50ml. of ethanol and 50 ml. of tetrahydrofuran. The reaction mixture was kept at room temperature for three days, then made acid with acetic acid and diluted to 400 ml. with water. The solid product was collected by filtration and recrystallized twice from ethyl acetate to give 7a-cyano-17a-methyl-5fl-androstane-3( 175- diol in the form of colorless rods, M.P. 197.6-203.2 C. (corr.), [a] =44.8 (1% in chloroform).

7 7-a-cyano-17a-methyl-5fi-androstane-3a,17fi-diol when administered subcutaneously the female rats at a dose level of 10.0 mg./kg./ day caused an increased number of vaginal smears, evidencing its estrogenic activity.

Example 6 4,7-amino-4-metheno-l7rx-methyl-5p-cyano-5fi androstan-l7fl-ol-3-one [XIII; R is CH R is OH]: A mixture of 24.00 g. (0.08 mole) of 17a-methyl-4,6-androstadienl7B-ol-3-one, 26.00 g. (0.40 mole) of potassium cyanide, 320 ml. of methanol, 80 ml. of water and 40 ml; of ethyl acetate was refluxed for five hours. The reaction mixture was diluted to 1 liter with water and extracted three times with 300 ml. of methylene dichloride. The methylene dichloride extracts were Washed with water and extracted five times with 600 ml. portions of 2 N hydrochloric acid. The acid extracts were made alkaline with sodium hydroxide and the solid product was collected by filtration and recrystallized from ethyl acetate to give 4,7-amino-4- metheno-17a-methyl-5fi-cyano-SB-androstan l7 8-ol-3-one in the form of colorless prisms, M.P. 236.8-237.8 C. (corr.), [a] =149.l (1% in chloroform). The neutral fraction from the foregoing reaction was chromatographed onsilica gel and separated into three compounds, namely, 17or-methyl-4,6-androstadien-l713-01- 3-one (starting material), 7oz-cyano-17a-methyl-4-androsten-l7fi-o1-3-one (the compound of Example 1) and 17ainethyl-SJ-dicyano-Sfi-androstan-17fl-ol-3-one.

4,7-amino-4-rnetheno-17a-methyl-SB-cyano 5,8-androstan-17/3-ol-3-one was found to have a coronary dilator activity about 10% that of papaverine when injected into isolated rabbit hearts at -a dose level of 0.10 mg. per heart; and when administered to the renal hypertensive rat at a dose level of 100 mg./kg. it caused a blood pressure drop from 170 to 154 mm. Hg.

Example 7 V 4,7-amino-4-metheno-SB-cyano-S/i-androstan 17B ol- 3-one [XIII; R is H, R" is H] was prepared from 21.73 g. of 4,6-androstadien-l7fl-ol-3-one and 13.0 g. of potassium cyanide by'the procedure described above in Ex ample 6. The basic product was recrystallized twice from acetonitrile to give 4,7-amino-4-metheno-SB-cyaHO-Sfiandrostan-17fi-ol-3-one in the form of colorless prisms, M.P. 239.4-242.0 C. (corr.), [a] =-l02.9 (1%1in chloroform), ultraviolet maximum at 302 m (E=ll,- 900); infra-red absorption at 2.88, 2.94, 3.03, 3.13, 3.42, 4.47, 6.10, 6.66 and 6.91

4,7-amino-4-metheno-5fi-cyano-5fi-androstan 17B ol- 3-one when administered to the renal hypertensive rat at a dose level of 100 mg./kg. caused a blood pressure drop from 182 to 159mm. Hg. 7 g

Example 8 4,7-carbonyl-p-cyano-Sfi-androstan:17B-ol-3-one [XV]: A mixture of 10.00 g. of 4,7-amino-4-methano-5fi-cyano Sfl-androstan-l7l3-ol-3-one (Example 7 and 500 ml..of 2 N hydrochloric acid was heated for one and. one-half hours on a steam bath. The solid product was collected by filtration, washed with water and'recrystallized twice from acetonitrile to give 4,7-carbonyl-55-cyano-Sfi-androstan-17,8-.ol-3-.one in the form of colorless needles, M.P. 336-341 C. (uncorr.), [a] =-+83.2- (1% in'chloroform), ultraviolet maximum at 301 m (E 280); infrared absorption at 2.84, 3.38, 3.44, 4.45, 5.68, 5.88 and 4, 7-carbonyl-Sfl-cyano-Sdandrostan-17,8-ol 3-one can be caused toreact with propionic anhydride, caproyl chloride, ,B-cyclopentylpropionyl chloride, benzoyl chloride, p-nitrobenzoyl chloride, 3,4,5--trimethoxybenzoy1 chloride, phenylacetyl chloride, cinnamoyl chloride or p-chlorophenoxyacetyl chloride togive, respectively, 17(3- 'propionoxy-4,7-czrbonyl-Sfi-cyano-5,8 androstan 3-one,

17/3-caproy1oxy-4,7-carbonyl-5B cyano 5;? androstan-3- ,of methanol was allowed to stand at room temperature for six days. There was then added 10 ml. of acetic acid and the mixture was concentrated by distillation on a steam bath. Waterwas added to theresidue and the Example 10 3,8 amino 5p carboxy 7a cyano 5B androstane- 3a,17,8-diol-(3,5-lactam) 3,17-diacetate [XIV; R' is H, diacetate] was prepared from 6.80 g. of 4,7-amino-4 metheno-Sfi-cyano-Sfl-androstan-l7/3-ol-3-one, 40 ml. of 2 N sodium hydroxide and 300' ml. of methanol eight days at room temperature. The resulting-product was separated and heated for one hour-on a steam bath with 10 ml. of pyridine and 5 ml. of acetic anhydride. The latter mixture was then added to 400 ml. of Water and extracted with methylene dichloride; The methylene dichloride extracts were washed with sodium bicarbonate solution and'dilute hydrochloric acid, driedjover anhydrous sodiumsulfate and concentrated. The residue was recrystallized twice from ether to give 3B amino-5,6- carboxy 7e cyano 5B androstane 30:,175 diol- (3,5-lactam) 3,17-diacetate in the form of colorless prisms, M.P. 190.4 l91.6 C. (corr.), [a] =-'-0.5 (1%. in chloroform).

Example 11 5,8 cyano 70c carbornethoxy 55 androstan 17(3- ol-3-one [XVI]: To a suspension of 3.41 g. of 4,7- carbonyl-Sfl-cyano-S/i-androstan-1 76-01-3 one (Example 8) in 400 ml. of ethanol was added 10 ml. of 1 Nsodium hydroxide solution with stirring. The reaction mixture was allowed to stand atroom temperaturefor fifteen hours, and then 0.6 ml. of acetic acid was added and the solvent removed by distillation in vacuo. Water was added to the. residue, and the solid product was collected by filtration and recrystallized twice from methanol and three times from ethyl acetate to give ,5 8-cyano-7acarbomethoxy-iii-androstan 17,8-ol-3-one in the form of colorless prisms, M.P. 216.6-,2 18.0 -C. (corr.), [u] =+41.57 (1% in chloroform).

r The 3-ethylene glycol ketal: of 5B-cyano-7a-carbomethoxyfifi androstan-1713-ol-3-one was prepared from 1.50 g. of 5B-cyano-7a-carbomethoxy-5fl-androstan-17B- 4.48, 5.80, 6.77,6.87 and 6.94 1.

. Example n g I I 5fl-cyano-7a-carboxy-5B-androstan-17B ol 3 one: A mixture of 6.82 g. of 4,7-carbonyl-5fl-cyano-Sp-androstan- 17/3-ol-3-one (Example 8), ml. of 1 N sodium hydroxide solution, 140 ml. of dioxane and 50 ml. of water was stirred at room temperature for about three days. There was then added 2 ml. of acetic acid and the reaction mixture wasconcentrated by distillation. The residue was extracted with isopropyl acetate, and the extracts were dried and concentrated. The latter residue was treated with dilute sodium bicarbonate, filtered, saturated with sodium chloride and acidified. The solid product was collected, dissolved in chloroform, filtered and the filtrate concentrated to dryness. The residue was recrystallized twice from ethyl acetate to give 5,8-cyano- 7u-carboxy-5B-androstan-1718-01-3-one, M.P. 245 .0-248.4 C. (corr.), [oz] =+75.0 (1% in chloroform).

Example 13 7a-carbomethoxy-4-androsten-17B-ol-3-one [V; R is H, R" is OH, Z is CH A mixture of 28.25 g. of 4,7- carbonyl-Sfl-cyano-5fi-androstan-17 8-01-3 one (Example 8), 22.3 g. of sodium methoxide and 1700 ml. of methanol was refluxed for twenty. hours. There was then added 25 ml. of acetic acid and the reaction mixture was concentrated by distillation in vacuo. Water was added to the residue andthe product was collected by filtration and recrystallized from methanol togive 22.9 g. of 7a-carbomethoxy-4 androsten 17,9 o1 3 one, M.P. 220.'8-223.=8 C. (corr.), [a] =+46.8 (1% in chloroform). I

7a-carbomethoxy-4-androsten-17,8-01-3-one can also be prepared from 7ot-cyano-4-androsten-17/3-ol-3-one (Ex ample 2) under the same reaction conditions.

7a-carbomethoxy-4-androsten-l7fi-ol-3-one when administered subcutaneously to female rats at a dose level of 10.0 mg./kg./ day gave evidence of pituitary inhibition. 7a-carbomethoxy-4-androsten-17fi-ol-3-one (5.00 g.) heated one hour on a steam bath with 25 ml. of pyridine and 10 ml. of acetic anhydride gave 7a-carbomethoxy- 4-androsten-17fi-ol-3-one 17-acetate, M.P. 198.5201 C. (uncorr.).

Example 14 (a) 3-ethylene glycol ketal of 7a-carbomethoxy-4- androsten-17/3-ol-3-one: A mixture of 17.60 g. of 70acarbomethoxy-4-androsten-17fi-ol-3-one (Example 13), 80 ml. of ethylene glycol, 1.0 g. of p-toluenesulfonic acid and 1000 ml. of benzene was refluxed for twenty hours under a water separator. The product was isolated and recrystallized from acetonitrile to give 3-ethylene glycol ketal of 7u-carbomethoxy-4-androsten-17fl-ol-3-one, M.P. 160-165 C. (uncorr.); ultraviolet maxima at 219 and 245 my. (E=1990 and 954); infrared absorption at 2.97, 3.42, 5.75, 6.02 and 6.18

, (b) 7ot-hydroxymethyl-4-androsten-17B-ol-3-one diacetate [VIII; R is H, R is OH, Z is COCH A solution of 7.80 g. of the 3-ethylene glycol ketal of 7a-carbomethoxy-4-androsten-l7fl-ol-3-one in 150 ml. of tetrahydrofuran was added to a suspension of 4.00 g. of lithium aluminum hydride in 150 ml. of tetrahydrofuran in a nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction mixture was refluxed for 150 minutes, cooled, and 8 ml. of water was added dropwise. Thereaction mixture was refluxed for fifteen minutes, filtered, and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The residue was heated for one-half hour on a steam bath with 80 ml. of acetic acid and 20 ml. of water. The solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue heated for two hours on a steam bath with 20 ml. of acetic anhydride and 40 ml. of pyridine and then added to 800 ml. of water. The solid product was collected by filtration and recrystallized twice from methanol to give 7ot-hydroxymethyl-4-androsten-175 ol 3 one diacetate, M.P. 212.0213.0 C. (corr.), [a] =-+3O.2 (1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maximum at 240 m,

infrared absorption at 3.42, 3.45, 5.72, 5.78, 6.00, 6.21, 6.80, 6.94 and 8.01m.

10- Example 15 50,7a epoxymethano-Sot-androstan-17,8-01-3-one [XII; R is H, R is OH]: To a solution of 5.51 g. of 7a-hydroxymethyl-4-androsten-17,8-01-3-one diacetate (Example 14) in ml. of methanol was added 10 g. of potassium hydroxide followed by 10 ml. of water. The reaction mixture was refluxed for one hour and diluted with water to a volume of 200 ml. The product was collected by filtration and recrystallized from a chloroform-ethyl acetate mixture and then from chloroform alone to give 5 u,7ot epoxymethano-Su-androstan-17fl-ol-3-one in the form of colorless needles, M.P. 258.8259.2 C. (corr.),

(1% in pyridine).

iafla-epoxymethano-5a-androstan-17fl-ol-3-one treated with acetic anhydride in pyridine at room temperature gave the diacetate, M.P. 195-205 C. (uncorr.).

Example 16 7 a-carbomethoxy-5 p-androstan-17fi-ol-3-one 17-acetate [VII; R is H, R" is OH, Z is CH acetate]: A solution of 7.93 g. of 7a-carbomethoxy-4-androsten-17,B-ol 3-one (Example 13) in 300 ml. of ethanol was hydrogenated at room temperature in the presence of 0.20 g. of palladium-on-carbon catalyst. The reaction mixture was filtered, the filtrate concentrated in vacuo, and the residue heated one hour on a steam bath with 20 ml. of acetic anhydride and 40 ml. of pyridine. The reaction mixture was added to 800 ml. of water and extracted with methylene dichloride. The methylene dichloride extracts were washed with 2 N hydrochloric acid and 5% sodium bicarbonate solution, and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solution was concentrated and the residue recrystallized twice from hexane to give 7a-carbomethoxy- 5,8-androstan-17/3-ol-3-one 17-acetate in the form of colorless plates, M.P. 130.0132.8 C. (corr.), [a] =+20.5 (1% in chloroform); infrared absorption at 3.43, 5.81, 6.92, 6.98, 8.02 and 8.70;.t.

A sample of the crude hydrogenation mixture prior to acetylation was recrystallized twice from acetonitrile to give 7a-carbomethoxy- 513 androstan-17B-ol-3-one, M.P. -166 C. (uncorr.).

Example 17 7u-carboxy-5B-androstan-17/3-01-3-one [VII; R is H, R" is OH, Z is H]: A mixture of 3.90 g. of 7a-carbomethoxy-Sfi-androstan-l7fl-ol-3-one l7-acetate (Example 16), 8.00 g. of potassium hydroxide, 160 ml. of ethanol and 40 m1. of water was refluxed for four hours. There was then added 8 ml. of acetic acid and the reaction mixture was concentrated to a small volume. The product was extracted with ethyl acetate, and the extracts were washed with saturated sodium chloride and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solution was concentrated and the residue recrystallized twice from aqueous ethanol to give 7a-carboxy-5,B-androstan-17,B-ol-3-one, M.P. 218.5- 221.5 C. (uncorr.); infrared absorption at 3.44, 3.90, 5.83 and 5.87 Y

7a-carboxy-5B-androstan-17B-ol-3-one (1.00 g.) and 10 ml. of acetic acid containing about 10% anhydrous hydrochloric acid kept at room temperature for about eighteen hours gave the 17-acetate, M.P. 258.2259.8 C. (corr.) when recrystallized from acetonitrile; [a] =+6.2 (1% in chloroform); infrared absorption at 3.10, 3.44, 5.76, 5.89, 6.90 and 8.10

Example 18 7a-carbomethQXy-SB-androstane-3,l7-dione: To a solution of 40.49 g. of 7u-carbomethoxy-Sfi-androstan-1713-01- 3-one (Example 16) in 200 ml. of acetic acid, cooled in an ice-bath, was added a solution of 11.6 g. of chromic oxide in 12 ml. of water and 108 ml. of acetic acid over a period of about fifteen minutes. The reaction mixture 11 was stirred two hours at room temperature, 25 ml. of methanol was added, and the mixture stirred fifteen minutes longer and poured into 3 liters of water. The solid which formed was collected by filtration, washed with water, dried at 65 C. in vacuo and recrystallized from an ethyl acetate-hexane mixture to give 30.7 g. of 7acarbomethoxy-fl-androstane-3,17-dione, M.P. 134-137 C. (uncorr.). Example 19 Example 20 7u-carbomethoxy 17a methyl-Sfi-androstane-Zia,17B diol [1X; R is CH R" is OH, Z is CH can be prepared by treating 7oz cyano-l7ot-methyl-5B-androstane-3a,17,8

diol (Example 5) with sodium hydroxide in methanol according to the procedure described above in Example 11.

Example 21 7a-hydroxymethyl 17a methyl-5fi-androstane-3a,17,8 diol [XI; R is CH R is OH, Z is H] can be prepared by reducing 7a-carbomethoxy-17a-1nethy1-5B-androstane- 3a,17;8-diol (Example 20) with lithium aluminum hydride according to the procedure described above in Example Alternatively, 7a-hydroxyrnethyl-17a-methy1-5B-andro stane-3a,17B-diol can be prepared by reducing 7a-hydroxymethyl 55 androstan-l7B-ol-3-one (Example 19) with sodium borohydride according to the procedure described above in Example 5.

Example 22- (a) 2-bromo-17a-carbomethoxy 4 androsten-17B-ol- 3-one 17-acetate: A mixture of 5.57 g. of 7a-carbomethoxy-4-androsten-17B-ol-3-one 17-acetate (Example 13), 2.57 g. of N-bromo-succinimide and 300 ml. of carbon tetrachloride was heated to reflux and illuminated with a 200-watt lamp. After one-half hour the reaction mixture was cooledand filtered, and the filtrate was washed with water and concentrated to dryness. The residue was triturated with 20 ml. of ether andthe product collected to give 6.45 g. of 2-bromo-17a-carbomethoxy-4- androsten 17 8-ol-3-one 17-acetate, M.P. ,189190 C. (uncorr.) i

(b) 70c carbomethoxy-l,4-androstadien-3-one 17-acetate: A mixture of 2.34 g. of 2-bromo-l7a-carbomethoxy- 4-androsten-17B-0l-3-0ne 17-acetate, 0.90 g. of lithium carbonate, 1.04 g. of lithium bromide and 20 ml. of dimethylformamide was heated on a steam bath for about fifteen hours. The reaction mixture was added to 1 liter of water, and the solid product was collected and dissolved in 50 ml. of methylene dichloride. The solution was washed with Water, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was recrystallized twice from methanol to give 7a-carbomethoxy-1,4 androstadien-3-one l7-acetate, M.P. 239243 C. (uncorr.), ultraviolet maximum at 244 m (E=15,500); infrared absorption at 3.43, 5.77, 6.00, 6.18 and 6.25;/..

Example 23 7a-car bomethoxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione: To a solution of 13.84 g. of 7a-carbomethoxy-4-androsten-17,8-01-' reaction mixture was stirred for two hours, 10 ml. of isopropylalcoholwas added, and after stirring for one hour the mixture was pouredinto 1500 ml. of'water. Thesolid product was collected by filtration, washed with water and dried at 70 C. in vacuo; yield 11.57 g., M.P. 205-207 C. (uncorr.). The product was recrystallized from methanol. to give 7wcarbomethoxy-4-andnostene-3,17-dione in the form of colorless prisms, M.P. 205.2-208.4 C. (corn), [a] =|-116.5 (1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maximum at 241 m,aj(E=15,900). 1

7a-carbomethoxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione was converted to its diethylene glycol ketal (7a-canbomethoxy-3,17- bisethylenedioxy-S-androstene) by heating with ethylene glycol in benzene solution in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic-acid. The diketal had the M.P., 182l84 C. when recrystallized from acetonitrile.

Example 24 tion of the solvent. The residuev was recrystallized several times from acetonitrile to give 7a-hydroxymethyl-3,17- bisethylenedioxy-S-androstene in the form. of colorless needles, M.P. 192.2-1195.4 C. (corn), [a] 5 =111.1

(1% in chloroform).

(b) 7a-hydroxymethyl-4-androstene 3,17-dione and 5a, 7a epoxymethano-Sa-androstane-3,17-dione: A mixture of 8.00 g. of -7a-hydroxymethyl-3,17-bisethylenedioxy-5- androstene, 40 ml. of acetic acid and 10 mlof water was heated on a steam bath for one-half hour. The solvent was removed by distillation, water added to the residue, and the solid product collected by filtration. The product was taken up in a mixture of 500 m1. of methylene dichloride, 200 ml. of ether and 300 ml. of pentane and chromatographed on a column of 240 g. ofsilica gel. Elution of the column with the same solvent mixture brought out a ,solid product which when recrystallized from ethyl acetate gave 1.17 g. of 5a,7.a-epoxymethano-5a-androstane-3,17-dione,'M.P. 227-230 C. (uncorr.); ultraviolet maxima at 232 and 265 mp (E=278 and 65); infrared absorption at 5.76, 5.85, 6.81 and 6.89 7

Further elution of the chromatograph column with ether-methylene dichloride11l, ether-methylene dichloride 2:1, ether-methylene dichloride-acetone 4:5: 1, ethermethylene dichloride-acetone .1 :2 :1 andmethylenedichloride-acetone 1: 1 brought out a second product which when recrystallizedfrom ethanol gave 2.9 g. of 7a-hydroxymethyl-4-androstene-3,7-dione, M.P. Y 246-249 C. (uncorr.); ultraviolet maximum at 24 2 m,a(E= 15,900); infraredabsorption at 2.97, 3.45, 5.76, 6.05, 6.10, 6.21 and .6.25,a.

. Example 25 6u,7a-methano-4-androstene-3,17-dione: A mixture of 3.72 g. of 7a-hydroxyrnethyl-4-androstene-3,17-dione (Example 24), 6.68 g. of p-toluenesulfonyl chloride and 40 m1. of pyridine was heated on a steam'bath for four hours. The reaction mixture; was added to 400 ml. of ice-water and extracted with two ml. portions "of'ethyla-cetate. The extracts were washed twice with 200'ml. of 2 N hydrochloric acid and 200 ml. of saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate in the presence of activated charcoal. .The solution was filtered and concentrated by distillation in vacuo, and the residue was triturated with ether andrecrystallized first from acetone-cyclohexane and then from acetonitrile to give 6a,7a-methano 4-androstene-3,17-dione, M.P. 194- 204 C. (uncorr.).

We claimz;v I I 1. A member of the group consisting of (A) compounds of the formula wherein R is a member of the group consisting of carboxy, carbo-lowenalkoxy, hydroxyme thyl and lower-oarboxy-l-ic acyloxymethyl wherein lower-carboxylic acyloxy has from one to ten carbon atoms; R is a member'of the group consisting of hydrogenand lower-alkyl; R" is a member of the group oonsisting of hydroxy and lower-carboxylic acyloxy having from one to ten carbon atoms; and X is a member of the group consisting of O=C and (oz-HO) CH; (B) compounds of the above formula wherein X is O=C and there is a double bond at the 4,5-position; (C) compounds of the above formula wherein X is O=C and there are two double bonds, one at the 1,2- and the other at the 4,5-position; and (D) compounds as defined'under (A),- (B) and (C) wherein R and R" together represent carbonyl oxygen.

. 7ot-cyano-i7a-methyl-5B-androstan-17B-o1-3-one.

. 5,9-cyano-7a-carboxy-5 3-androstan-17fl-ol-3-one.

. 7u-carbomethoxy-4-androsten-17,3-o1-3-one.

. 7a-hydroxymethyl-4-androsten 17(3-ol-3-one diace- 4O 7u-carbomethoxy-Sfl-androstan-17,8-01-3-one 17-ace- 10. 7ot-carbomethoxy-Sfi-androstane-3,17-dione.

11. 7a-hydroxymethyl-5p-androstan-l7B-ol-3-one 7,17- diacetate.

wherein R is a member of the group consisting of hydrogen and lowenalkyl, and R" is a member of the group consisting of hydroxy and lower-carboxylic acyloxy having from one to ten carbon atoms; and (B) the compounds of the above formula wherein R and R together represent carbonyl oxygen.

18. 5a,7a-epoxymethano-Sa-androstan-l7p3-ol-3-one. 19. 5m,7a-epQXymethano-Sa-androstane-3,17-dione. 20. A compound of the formula wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower-alkyl, and R" is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy and lower-carboxylic acyloxy having from one to ten carbon atoms.

21. 4,7-amino-4-metheno-17a-methyl 5f cyano-Sfiandrostan-17B ol-3-one. 22. 4,7-amino-4-methend-Sfi-cyano-SB-androstan 17o ol-3'-one. e r m 23. 4,7-carbonyI-SB-cgzano-SB-androstan -ol-3-one. g 24. A compound of the formula CHa H 0 H E O- -C O O-lower-alkyl 25. 5B-cyano-7ot-carbomethoxy-SB-androstan-175-01 3- one.

26. A member of the group consisting of compounds of the formula wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower-alkyl; and lower-carboxylic acid esters thereof derived from carboxylic acids having from one to ten carbon atoms.

27. SB-amino-SB-carboxy-h-cyano-17a-methyl-5B androstane-3a,17;3-diol-(3,5-lactam).

28. 3B-amino-5B-carboxy-7a-cyano-Sfl-androstane 3oz, 17B-diol-(3,5-1actam) 3,17-diacetate.

a 15 s 29. The process for preparing a compound of the formula CH]/\ i q/ CM 7 (I NH:

which comprises treating a Compound of the formula with at least about two mole-equivalents of an alkali metal'cyanide, wherein R is a member of the group consisting of hydrogen and lower-alkyl, and R" is a member of the group consisting of hydrogen and lower-carboxylic acyloxy having from one to ten carbon atoms, and isolating the acid-soluble fraction of the product.

1%? 30. A member of the group pounds of the-formula 1 7 consisting of '(A) comwherein R is cyano, R is a member of thegroup consisting of hydrogen and lower-'alkylj R". is a member of the group consisting of hydroxy andlower-carboxylic acyloxy having from one to ten carbon atoms;rand X is a member of the group consisting of O=C and (a-HO)CH; and (B) compounds as defined under (A) v wherein R and R" together represent carbonyl oxygen.

GOTTS, Primary Examiner; 

26. A MEMBER OF THE GROUP CONSISTING OF COMPOUNDS OF THE FORMULA 